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Delaware State Assessments · DeSSA · Science · Grades 5, 8, and High School

Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Test

Build Delaware DeSSA Science readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets for Grades 5, 8, and high school, covering physical science, life science, Earth science, environmental systems, biology, data, and evidence.

Delaware DeSSA Science practice sets

This Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets are organized across Grade 5, Grade 8, and high school science themes so learners can review concepts, models, data, and evidence at an appropriate level.

Grade-band skills covered

  • Grade 5: matter, forces, energy, ecosystems, photosynthesis, weather, the water cycle, rocks, erosion, and Earth-Sun-Moon patterns
  • Grade 8 physical and Earth science: particles, thermal energy, circuits, forces, waves, chemical reactions, plate movement, rocks, currents, and measurement quality
  • Grade 8 life and environmental science: cells, DNA, specialization, food webs, variation, natural selection, water quality, biodiversity, and carrying capacity
  • High school biology: cellular respiration, gene expression, enzymes, inheritance, trophic energy, experimental controls, meiosis, mutations, and restoration evidence

How to use this page

Choose the practice set that matches your grade band. Read the scenario, identify the evidence, explain the scientific relationship, and review the solution after each response.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Delaware Department of Education guidance, official DeSSA materials, accommodations, or testing policies.

For the Delaware assessment hub, visit Delaware State Assessments.

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Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Questions

A 10-question Delaware DeSSA Science practice set on grade 5 earth and space science, with answers and explanations.

Read each science scenario carefully, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

What causes day and night on Earth?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Earth rotates on its axis..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: As Earth rotates, different parts face toward or away from the Sun.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

As Earth rotates, different parts face toward or away from the Sun.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which process changes liquid water into water vapor?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Evaporation.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Evaporation occurs when liquid water gains energy and becomes a gas.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Evaporation occurs when liquid water gains energy and becomes a gas.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Clouds form when water vapor in rising air cools and changes into tiny liquid droplets. What process is this?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Condensation.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Cooling water vapor changes it into liquid droplets, which is condensation.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Cooling water vapor changes it into liquid droplets, which is condensation.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement best describes weather?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions such as temperature, wind, and precipitation.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions such as temperature, wind, and precipitation.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does the Moon appear to have different phases?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The visible sunlit portion changes as the Moon orbits Earth..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: The phase depends on the changing positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

The phase depends on the changing positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which evidence best supports the idea that a fossil formed long ago?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It is found in a layer of sedimentary rock beneath several newer layers..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Rock layers can provide evidence about relative age, with deeper undisturbed layers generally older.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Rock layers can provide evidence about relative age, with deeper undisturbed layers generally older.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What happens to liquid water that soaks into soil and moves downward?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It becomes groundwater through infiltration..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Infiltration is the movement of water into soil and rock, where it can join groundwater.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Infiltration is the movement of water into soil and rock, where it can join groundwater.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A coastal town builds dunes and plants grasses along the shore. What is the main purpose?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is To reduce erosion from wind and waves.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Dunes and vegetation can hold sediment and reduce the movement caused by wind and waves.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Dunes and vegetation can hold sediment and reduce the movement caused by wind and waves.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which pattern supports the idea that Earths surface is heated unevenly by the Sun?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Different locations have different temperatures at the same time..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Uneven heating helps create differences in temperature, air movement, and weather.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Uneven heating helps create differences in temperature, air movement, and weather.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which model best represents the relative positions during a solar eclipse?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The Moon is between the Sun and Earth..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching part of Earth.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching part of Earth.

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Frequently asked questions about Delaware DeSSA Science Practice

Which grades are covered?

This page includes science practice sets for Grade 5, Grade 8, and high school biology and integrated science review.

How many questions are included?

There are five practice sets with 10 questions each, for 50 questions in total. Each set can be completed separately.

Are these official DeSSA questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Delaware Department of Education and official DeSSA information for current materials, accommodations, and policies.